Looking into my body-length mirror, I carefully lifted my long hair. After all that fighting, all that pain, and not a scratch. This is totally awesome.
"Maybe turning into a giant cat isn't so bad after all," I mumbled.
"What are you muttering to yourself?" Mars snapped.
Party pooper. "I'm just flabbergasted at the regenerative abilities, that's all." In wonder, I replied, "Even your scratch is gone."
"You look stupid," he said bluntly. "You received an email." What, already? It's only been three days since my last case. With a sigh, I pulled on my shirt and went to take a look.
"I'm still in the process of suing the temple too," I mumbled unhappily. I clicked on the icon and got a profound surprise. It was from Mi-Cha Baek.
Hi Mr. Nathan.
Sorry to bother you like this, but I wanted to inform you before you found out by a third party.
My father has been murdered. A locked room murder without any evidence has baffled the police at the crime scene.
Your business card says you inspect the otherworld. Can you please meet with me?
Sincerely
Baek Mi-Cha
Well, this was unexpected.
I contacted Mi-Cha when she was available. She was surprisingly calm when I called and organised a meeting at my house for the next day. This sounded like a good story.
Mars watched in silence as I dressed in my black suit. Although I should sympathise, I do not know her father and do not care about him. He was always a brute to me.
I got out some refreshments and waited in anticipation. At ten o'clock came the tap on the door. I gave myself one last look before opening the door.
Mi-Cha stood dressed in grim colours. She was in mourning. "Welcome Ms. Baek. My condolences. Please, come in."
"Thank you." After removing her shoes at the entryway, we settled into the living room. I offered her tea which she gratefully accepted.
"How have you been?" I asked gently. She smiled weakly. "I'm coping. The shock of his passing is fading gradually." She took a tiny sip.
"That's good." I don't really know what to say.
"What do you require of me? I'm not a homicide detective, you know." I decided to get to the point.
She gazed at me seriously. "I met a previous client of yours who told me that you can speak to spirits of the deceased." Please not Min. "He's the owner of the Art Gallery, Mr. Chun." I almost sighed in relief.
"The police have searched high and low on how my father died. It wasn't suicide nor natural. He was stabbed in the neck but there's no murder weapon and no evidence anyone was there. The cameras showed nothing. It only showed my father collapsing with a stab wound appearing in his neck."
"And you want me to find out what killed him?" I inquired doubtfully.
"No." She shook her head. " I can't put you into danger. Just help me speak with my father."
"A medium or psychic can do this too. Why come to me?" I questioned.
"I can't trust them. Many love to exploit people who are in mourning."
"All right. Let's go to the bookshop immediately. Unless you still have to do something else?" I suggested.
"It's fine. I'm anxious to speak to him anyway."
"Sure. As for the payment…" I faltered. She didn't hesitate. "Name your price." What a gal.
"Three million won." I won't ask much since this is a small task. How nice of me, heh heh. I gave her the contract. She signed without even reading it through. She must be desperate.
"Then let's go."